FLD120 with 3406C

Well, I did it again. I bought a 96 FLD with a 640k mile mechanical 425 C model. I couldn't pass up the deal and I needed a truck for summer work. I've been prepping it for the season and so far it has been quite the project. I'm in quite a bit more than I wanted to be, and honestly I haven't been able to really run the truck much yet. It's a smooth runner, fires in the cold with a little puff of fuel smoke and that's it. No other smoke that I can see when driving it. I haven't pulled a load yet though. It sat for over a decade and hasn't been serviced since it was parked. My biggest concern at this point is the rust in the cooling system. I'm going to Thermocure it before I fill her up with Cat ELC. That should get me to a happy place. Also, the turbo housing was cracked on the hot side. I hung a 177148 on there because the deal was right, which I am now working on a custom oil feed line for that. I gotta drop the oil pan to helicoil a couple bolt holes, so I already got my mind right to throwing some more money at a roll in. I'm really looking forward to turning the key on this thing. This truck is going to spend the rest of it's days pulling a sidedump so I will be 90k all day. I would love to pull on the 550 Petes and K's but we will see how it does with the 10spd and 3.90 rears. My hopes are high, but even if it's the slowest truck on the job, I'm gonna work it. More to follow as the project progresses. Maybe even a pic or two

 

Surprisingly the fuel tanks are immaculate inside. The fuel lines look relatively new. I didn't test them as I have no reason to believe they are bad. The air tanks are a good call. I haven't paid a whole lot of attention to them. I will add that to the to do list.

 

This is for the haters... I never said anything about turning it up, as I am not going to do that. I can do what I need at 425. The turbo doesn't add much power if any, it's a more efficient turbo for that engine. I do expect to gain some low end response and a slight increase in fuel mileage best case. If I want power I will run my Classic XL 525 6NZ with 3.90s. The thing is a beast. I have pulled doubles at 150k with that truck, it's not turned up and it's at 1.3 mil.

It is an 8PN and I'm not looking to turn it up. I put that turbo because the deal was right and correct me if I'm wrong, but I should gain a bit response and maybe a little bump in MPG. I know you know the mech Cats so I'm not here to challenge your experience. I am surely willing to listen and learn

 

I'm almost done up front, which should be complete today, then i will be headed to the back. A few updates there, most notably is the rear leaf spring upgrade. I'm getting rid of the hockey stick springs and replacing them with straight spring and a cross plate to stabilize and prevent airbag blowouts when dumping the sidedump. That seems to be a common problem with the curved springs.